Senate Republicans Struggle to Pass "Big, Beautiful Bill"

Strategic Insights -

Senate Republicans are in a holding pattern as they struggle to find the votes needed to pass their "big, beautiful bill," a tax break and spending cuts package, following over 24 hours of continuous debate. The bill's fate depends on the votes of Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who have not publicly stated how they will vote. If both senators oppose the bill, leadership would need to alter policy changes to secure their votes, potentially alienating other Republican senators.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill's passage is uncertain, with several Republican senators expressing frustration with the Senate's reworked legislation.
  • The bill would keep individual income tax rates at the same level, extend and expand the 2017 tax law, and make permanent some tax breaks on business investments and research and development costs.
  • The bill would also slash spending on the Medicaid program for low-income people and individuals with disabilities, as well as shift significant costs of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to states for the first time.
  • Maine Sen. Susan Collins' amendment to increase funding for the rural healthcare provider fund to $50 billion and expand the list of eligible providers was subject to a Senate procedural limit known as a budget point of order, and was unable to secure the votes needed to waive that limit.
  • Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden spoke against Collins' proposal, calling it "flawed."
  • The Senate has adopted three amendments to the bill, including one from Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn that removes language from the package blocking state and local governments from regulating artificial intelligence for five years.
  • Maine's Collins and Alaska's Murkowski broke with their party several times to vote with Democrats, including on an amendment to increase safety funding for airports near Washington, D.C.

Statistics:

  • 99-1 vote to remove language restricting state and local governments' ability to regulate artificial intelligence ( Blackburn's amendment)
  • 50-50 vote to reject an amendment to increase safety funding for airports near Washington, D.C. (Warner's amendment)
  • 22-78 vote to reject Collins' amendment to increase funding for the rural healthcare provider fund and expand the list of eligible providers
  • 1,000-page legislation that extends and expands the 2017 tax law
  • $100 million in increased funding for the White House budget office in the bill
  • $12.5 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration to "transform the air traffic control system" in the bill

Sources:

  • Associated Press (AP) (photo by Al Drago/Getty Images) - U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrives during a vote-a-rama at the U.S. Capitol, on July 1, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
  • Senate.gov (roll call vote 1191, vote 119_1_00363.htm) - 99-1 vote to remove language restricting state and local governments' ability to regulate artificial intelligence
  • Senate.gov (roll call vote 1191, vote 119_1_00367.htm) - 50-50 vote to reject an amendment to increase safety funding for airports near Washington, D.C.
  • Senate.gov (roll call vote 1191, vote 119_1_00355.htm) - 22-78 vote to reject Collins' amendment to increase funding for the rural healthcare provider fund and expand the list of eligible providers
  • Senate.gov (committee on commerce, science, and transportation) - comments from Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz
  • Senate.gov (press release) - statement from Republican leaders on the passage of the "big, beautiful bill"